Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving

Norman Rockwell image from artrenewal.org.

Above is "Freedom from Want", painted in 1943. The world was in flames. In January of 1943 The battle of Stalingrad ended with the surrender of the German sixth army. Stalingrad was the bloodiest battle in the history of the world, leaving two million dead. America fought the battle of Guadalcanal earlier that year. Sicily and then Italy were invaded by allied forces .We know now how the Second World War would end, but in 1943 the outcome was, of course, not known. All over the globe men fought and died to stop totalitarian Germany and Japan from enslaving the world. Seventy million lives were sacrificed to the Moloch of Nazi ambition.Many who saw this painting must have wondered if they would ever see their familys again, and many of them didn't. Those at home wondered when they would see their husbands and sons at a happy Thanksgiving table again too.

This must be Grandma and Grandpa at the head of the table with the turkey she has cooked, after setting it on the table Grandpa would have proudly led the family in a prayer of thanksgiving for all that they had. I think he would have prayed for victory overseas and a safe return of their family and neighbors from battle. He would have prayed for an economic recovery as the nation had been in the great depression for over a decade.

We are in a war overseas again today, the casulties are numbered in the hundreds and not by the millions, and our nations economy is weakened, but it isn't nearly as damaged as it was in the thirties. Our food is not rationed as that families certainly was, and while we are concerned about the future, it has never looked as bleak in my lifetime as it must have in 1943.

I suggest that we try to feel the hope and thankfulness that Americans did when this painted prayer of thankfulness shone like a candle in the darkness. This Thanksgiving I will thank God for my family, and ask his blessing upon my friends, and my comrades in art, for you who are reading this, and for our nation.

39 comments:

Rockwell was my earliest influence in the art world..I still regard him as one of the greatest American painters despite what critics have said about his sacharine sweet idealistic vision of America. What a powerful painting this is, particularly when coupled with the sentiments youve laid out...wish those critics could read your post, so well said. God bless you too..I hope you and your family have a happy thanksgiving. Thanks for your posting and wisdom.

Dear Stapleton,Thank you once again for the wonderful post. It truly is a time to be thankfull for all that we have. As we never know what the morning sun may bring. I thank you, for I feel I have grown not only as an artist but as a person because of your blog.May God bless you and yours on this day. barbara....land of boz

I found your blog because I have a google alert for anything Sicily, 1943. My Dad was there. Can't wait to show Mom the Rockwell painting, later this morning. She will appreciate what you wrote, I am sure. I am following my Dad's path in WW2 by following his company. Blessed Thanksgiving. Gobble, gobble.

Great post, Stape. I think it's important, essential really, to remember that through all the hard times, past and present, that God will not put us in a situation that we cannot handle. The human nature is one of perserverance.

Great post Stape. A little perspective is a good thing. My dad was a WWII vet (Siege of Bastogne, Battle of the Bulge). Although I miss my parents every day, I am so grateful for the life they gave me and my memories of them. Have a wonderful holiday with your family!

Thankyou for takiung the time each day to do this blog, I begin each morning by reading it! It educates, inspires, makes me laugh, gives me great company and gives me pause. Thank you for enriching my life!

Simone:Comrades seemed like the right word at the time, brothers seemed odd and some of you are women, dudes was too.............Comrades had a feeling of mutual participation to it. Happy Thanksgiving........Stape

About Me

I am a professional landscape painter.I make my living painting pictures.
In my blog I show my paintings, offer some of the techniques, ideas and methods I have learned over the years, and talk about how to make a living as an artist. I present some essays on painting, art, and hopefully amuse you some at the same time. I will also tell you about many of the fine painters I have known over the years and some who died long ago. I talk about my training in the studios of R.H.Ives Gammell and about the many artists who have mentored me along the way. I also try to explain what I THINK makes a good painting, and how to go about making one.
If you have just found this blog, I suggest you go back to the earliest posts and read forward. It is now an enormous archive of about a thousand posts. The posts start out with the most basic information and progress towards the more philosophical side of painting. I hope you will find it useful!
.............Stape

Teaching

I do teach and I do travel. If you are interested in booking workshops or having me visit and teach at your institution, school or art association please email me at stapletonkearns@gmail.com I am presently booked for several workshops in the coming year and will be announcing more . If you are interested in attending a workshop please let me know as well.